Tony's Photos

Venice was magical from the moment we stepped onto the water bus that took us to our hotel, a short walk from the Piazza San Marco. Venetians are super friendly (and speak pretty good English) so we felt welcome right away. We were blown away by the art in the Doge's Palace and the Academia, and just walking around the city was awe-inspiring. The food was incredible! We were really lucky one morning to get a free exclusive ride on a sleek water taxi to the island of Murano, where the world-famous Venetian blown glass is made. From there we went to the island of Burano which is known for intricate lace making.

We took a high speed train from Venice to Florence that was modern and comfortable, and our hotel was a short walk from the rail station in the heart of the city. That afternoon we were astonished by the art in the Uffizi Gallery. It seemed that all our favorite works from the classic "History of Art" by Jansen were there. Our first night we were at a park frequented by college students and we were treated to a free concert. The next day we toured the famous "Il Duomo" designed by Brunelleschi, and then walked across the Ponte Vecchio to the magnificent Boboli Gardens, home of the Medici. The views of the city were stunning.

On our 29th anniversary, Francesco picked us up and drove us south to Florence's historical rival, the city of Sienna. Sienna seemed like a city out of time, its mediaeval character undiminished over the centuries. Narrow cobblestone streets wound through the city all leading to a central plaza where to this day horse races are held in the shadow of a magnificent tower. On our way back to the car a ferocious storm blew in but we made it to the garage safe and dry by a matter of minutes. Upon leaving the city, the one road out was blocked by fallen branches, so we jumped out of the vehicle, and with the assistance of a couple of truck drivers we cleared the road and continued on. We felt like superheroes!

We headed further south to the Tuscany region and saw immediately why it has always been a favorite of landscape painters. Rolling hills of every hue were accented by rows of Cypress trees in a tapestry as far as one could see. Francesco had arranged for us to stay at a quaint but comfortable farmhouse in a region popular with photographers. He had made reservations for dinner in a town that was once a Roman spa. The meal was magnificent, and we were treated to a spectacular sunset. Tony surprised Lori with a necklace he had secretly bought for her in Murano. The next day Francesco and Tony went on a photo safari, while Lori sketched an old church near the farmhouse where we were staying.

From Tuscany we turned north again heading along the coast. The weather had been hot all during our first week (over 100 degrees) and we were longing for a swim. Francesco took us to a town on the seacoast called Porta Venere which featured an ancient castle built out onto the peninsula and additional fortifications high on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Below the cliff wild ocean waves swirled and crashed into the rocks surrounding a huge grotto. What better place to dive in? Tony and Alex braved the turbulent waves while Lori and Jasmine wisely chose the calmer bay side for a dip.

Acqui Terme is a charming resort town, and Francesco's townhouse is right in the heart of it. He and Yasuko live with their two lovable Cocker Spaniels, Bamboo and Menta, above the Gallarotti chocolate shop run by his aunt. Over the next couple of days we stayed local, swimming in a nearby river, visiting the Roman ruins, and going on a wine tasting tour at the Contratto vineyards. We loved taking Bamboo and Menta for walks and getting to know the area.

The most special night of our visit to Italy was going to see Verdi's opera "Aida" at an ancient Roman amphitheater in Verona which seats 10,000, but we had front row seats! Yasuko, a big opera fan, couldn't believe our good fortune. It was the 100th anniversary of the opera, and the sets and costumes were lavish and specially produced for this performance. At one point the entire stage was flooded for a scene that takes place on the banks of the Nile. The following day it was a fairly long drive back Acqui Terme so we broke up the trip with a visit to Sermione, a town on a lake at the foot of the Alps. At one end of the peninsula is a mediaeval castle and at the other end is a Roman ruin. The water was crystal clear and delightful for swimming, and the town was fun to stroll through and do some shopping.

Tony, Jasmine, Anne and Phil took a quick trip up to Maine to visit with Tony's cousin Steve and aunt Jan on the island. Cousin Sterling from Milwaukee soon joined us. The weather was beautiful for the week we were there. One day we took a picnic to see the windmill farm that was recently built near our pond. The towers were impressive, probably 150+ feet high, with slowly turning propellers at least half that length. Cell phone reception was great up there, so Tony made a FaceTime video call to Lori back in NY so she could see how elegant (and quiet) the windmills were. Another day we took a trip to Acadia to do some hiking along the coast. After our picnic we walked around Jordan Pond (3 miles) and the scenery was simply beautiful. The most memorable event of the trip however was when Jasmine swam across the pond from the island to cousin Kathy's place on the shore.